Carlie Hanson

With each emotional, introspective pop song she shares with the world, Carlie Hanson reveals a little more of the out-of-placeness that has dominated her headspace over the last few years. That feeling—foggy, yet all-consuming—hangs heavy over the 22-year-old singer/songwriter’s sophomore album Wisconsin, a deeply personal collection of songs detailing the homesickness that has plagued her since moving to Los Angeles from the home state that gives the record its title. La Crosse, Wisconsin is where Hanson fell in love with music. Her sister blasted Avril Lavigne and Evanescence in the car, and at the age of 9, Carlie started posting covers on YouTube. Eventually, on a whim, she filmed a clip of herself singing in her car and, to her astonishment, it went viral. Producers took interest and she recorded some demos, including “Only One,” which Taylor Swift included on her list of favorite songs in 2017. At 17, Hanson moved to Los Angeles. Despite early success with self-released EPs and her acclaimed debut album, Tough Boy, she felt out of place. Changing the trajectory of your career is a process, and Hanson documents much of it on Wisconsin. There are, however, glimmers of hope. The title track, for example, is about recalibrating how she feels about moving across the country. As Hanson becomes more confident in her artistry, she brings a little piece of the Midwest to Los Angeles, song by song.